Hollywood hunk Alexander Skarsgard has revealed he was once bullied for wearing cowboy boots to school.

The 34-year-old True Blood actor has opened up about his days as a young Swedish boy visiting Texas with his father Stellan.

He told Arcade Fire's Win Butler: 'I spent two months in Fredericksburg, Texas, when I was eight, while my father shot a movie and I loved it. I just embraced the whole cowboy culture. I got myself a pair of awesome boots and a cowboy hat. Then I got back to Sweden in September to go back to school, and I was so proud of my cowboy boots.'

Alexander, who plays vampire Eric Northman in the hit TV show, added to Interview magazine: 'I told my mum and my dad, 'I'm going to wear these bad boys to school today, and all the kids are going to love me. I'm going to be the coolest kid in school.' Then I showed up and everyone was like, 'Dude, why are you wearing ladies' boots?' They didn't really work in Sweden. I wore them that one day, and then I ran home and cried and never wore those boots again.'